The girls in their easter bonnets

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Today the children broke up from school for the Easter holidays, and the last day brings the annual Easter bonnet parade, finished with a visit from the Easter bunny. The girls have been very exited! Today was Rosea's day in nursery and although they don't have a parade, there was no way she was going without!

Here are the girls modeling this years masterpieces.

This is Sonney earlier in the week being cheeky :) we did try to get a pic of him wearing a Easter bonnet, but he was having none of it.

And this is him being mischievous! 

I only went down to get his milk and he got his hands on the sudocrem.

Anyhow, the girls would like to wish you all a: (early)

Happy Easter x

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The vintage tailor's dummy

I was having a little surf last night, looking for vintage Tailor's dummies and I came across this fabulous site, vintage style mannequins.

I love the one pictured above, it has been decoupaged.

The Tailor's dummy I own is the practical adjustable kind, very uninspiring! In-fact I'm not even sure where it is, I haven't cut a pattern from it in a long while, probably in the attic.

I would love to own an antique one, but have my eye on the bespoke dummy, in my favourite Laura Ashley, Summer palace print. The whole collection is stunning, I could quite easily find a home for them all, although Mr C wouldn't be happy, he says they creep him out.

I have a couple of mannequin heads that I use to display tiaras at wedding Fayre's, but you can't beat the vintage deco heads, I would be delighted to own one! maybe one day! I love love love art deco, the roaring twenties are my favourite period in time, (I will save that for another story).

The head in the bottom right corner is a reproduction, cool, but doesn't have quite the same effect as an old one!

Later on I had a little eureka moment! I remembered once seeing a decoupaged half mannequin, and in my shed, I have two half mannequins :)

A lady and a child, ooh, I will just get them and take a picture!

I'm back! it's about 2 hours later, what an expedition, a climbing expedition, over several kids bikes, a quick wash down, and here they are:

This is the adult body, I forgot it was in that pose, don't think it will be suitable.

This is the child's body, this one might be OK :)

But for this project,

I need some help! please!

I haven't tried decoupage before, and am not entirely sure it would work on this type of dummy, it's kind of a hard plastic, not sure if I could get the paper to stick,

your thoughts and ideas would be much appreciated on this one guys :)

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Rejuvenated Jewels by Amy Hanna, my most favourite book in the whole world.

Today, I would like to tell you about my most favourite book ever!
Rejuvenated Jewels by Amy Hanna-

New designs from vintage treasures.

I bought this book about 6 months ago and I haven't put it down since! I keep it on my bedside table and every night before I turn out the light I have a little flick through :)

This book is totally me!

It is everything I love, and everything I want to be and do, it completely inspired me!

The photographs in the book, and on Amy's blog are stunning, I could look at them all day.

This book is suitable for all, from the novice to the experienced jewellery maker.
The first chapter covers, materials, equipment and techniques- everything you need to know to get you started. Other chapters include, cameos revisited, souvenirs & keepsakes, french inspirations, pictures of the past, and relics retold, each giving clear instructions on how to make a number of necklaces, bracelets and earrings.

You must take a look at this book, or visit Amy's blog, you too will be inspired, trust me on this one!

Here are some more mouthwatering images of Amy's work, taken from her blog.

Visit Amy's shop on etsy.

Whilst on the hunt for images from Amy's book to put in this post (haven't yet fathomed out how to work my scanner), I came across Corey at Tongue in cheek, who had also wrote a review on Rejuvenated Jewels. Corey is an American lady, who has lived in France with her french husband for 20 years. Corey and Amy met when Amy saw pictures of broken jewellery on Corey's blog and asked if she would source more treasures for her to use in her designs.

I'm smitten, are you???

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Ornate Frame Pin Cushion

Beach Vintage: Project Day: Ornate Frame Pin Cushion

I saw this sweet pin cushion tutorial at Beach Vintage, and just had to share.

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